Defending champion Scottie Scheffler seized the early lead at the PGA Championship, firing a 67 to join a seven-way tie atop the leaderboard at Aronimink Golf Club. The world No. 1 overcame a slow start with four birdies in a six-hole stretch, showing why he's contending in his fifth straight major season while chasing history.

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau endured difficult opening rounds as the leaderboard congested around 3-under par. McIlroy's bid for back-to-back majors imploded with four consecutive bogeys to finish at 74, while DeChambeau's erratic play left him nine shots back at 76, jeopardizing his streak of consecutive PGA Championship cuts.

Jordan Spieth lurks just two strokes back in his pursuit of the career Grand Slam, while a group of 33 players remain within striking distance. Scheffler's strong putting and driving - missing just one fairway - set the tone on a day when the tournament remains wide open, with Min Woo Lee and Patrick Reed among those keeping pressure on the leaders.